Actor-filmmaker Edward Burns was spotted filming a sequel to his breakout 1995 indie hit The Brothers McMullen—and he brought Emmy-nominated actress Connie Britton along for the ride.

The pair were seen shooting scenes on Marlboro Road in Valley Stream—Burns’ hometown and the same street where he filmed the original movie 30 years ago—on Tuesday, April 8. Cameras, lighting rigs, and a film crew were set up outside a home as part of the production.

For Valley Stream native and fellow filmmaker Anthony Natoli, who shared photos in the “Valley Stream Community” Facebook group, the moment was especially meaningful.

“Got invited down to the filming of The Brothers McMullen sequel today on my old street,” Natoli wrote. “Ed Burns is such a great guy and I appreciate the opportunity to hang out and see the continuation of the story. I grew up on Marlboro Rd and remember him filming the original as a kid.”

Natoli credits Burns with inspiring his own creative journey. “It inspired me greatly as a young man to see that it is possible for someone, who went to the same school as me, and grew up just a few doors down, to make something bigger than themselves,” he wrote on his website.

Facebook/Anthony Natoli

The Brothers McMullen—a character-driven dramedy about three Irish Catholic brothers grappling with love, marriage, and family—put Burns on the map when it debuted at Sundance in 1995 and won the Grand Jury Prize. Shot on a shoestring budget in Valley Stream, the film starred Burns, Britton, Jack Mulcahy, and Mike McGlone.

In a 2024 interview on NBC’s TODAY, Burns confirmed he had just finished writing the screenplay and was aiming to release the sequel in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. “It’s hard to believe that that was 30 years ago,” he said.

Since then, Burns has built a prolific career both in front of and behind the camera, directing nearly 20 films and starring in Hollywood hits like Saving Private Ryan, Life or Something Like It, and The Holiday. Britton, his co-star in the original film, has become a household name with celebrated roles in Friday Night Lights, Nashville, and The White Lotus, earning five Emmy nominations along the way.

No word yet on the release date or official title of the sequel.

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By Tiffany Cusaac-Smith[email protected]@T_Cusaac

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Valley Stream is on a list of facilities targeted for closure as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to "optimize the federal footprint" nationwide and shrink the size of government.

The lease runs out Sept. 30 on the 9,493-square-foot space used by the agency in an office building at 70 Sunrise Hwy., according to the management company and an Associated Press story, citing a March 10 memo from the General Services Administration, which manages federal office space.

The move provides no direct financial benefit to the federal government, which has paid roughly $345,000 annually for its lease, according to the website for the Department of Government Efficiency.

Also known as DOGE, the agency is led by billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to search for ways to reduce the federal government.

It remained unclear Wednesday what lies ahead for the staff and services of the Valley Stream office, one of several federal Fish and Wildlife facilities across Long Island.

Longtime tenants

"We were a little shocked," said Joseph Scimone, chief financial officer at Lighthouse Realty Partners LLC, which manages the property.

"They didn't give us a reason," Scimone said in a phone interview Wednesday. "They didn't ask us anything" except "to say we're terminating the lease."

Scimone said the GSA sent a letter a week or two ago giving them six months notice that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be leaving the building. The agency has been a tenant for more than 20 years.

The agency oversees national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, conservation projects and other operations at facilities across the country, according to its website.

The service did not confirm the closure of the Valley Stream office or say how it would affect employees.

"We are actively working with GSA to ensure that every facility and asset is utilized effectively and where necessary, identifying alternative solutions that strengthen our mission," the agency said in a statement.

A GSA spokesperson also did not confirm the cancellation of the lease but said in a statement Wednesday to Newsday that it is reviewing "options to optimize the federal footprint and building utilization," and actively "managing lease contracts by leveraging existing contract cancellation rights."

The office’s expected closure comes as Musk's group has sought to close nearly 50 Social Security Administration offices and end other federal government real estate leases, the AP said. Government offices across the country are on the website's list, including for the Internal Revenue Service, Food and Drug Administration and Federal Highway Administration.

Concern over cutbacks

On Long Island, the cutbacks have sparked concerns over the future for federal services of all kinds. Last week, the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site said it planned to cut hours at President Theodore Roosevelt’s Oyster Bay home and decrease hours at its Old Orchard Museum after the Trump administration let go of roughly 1,000 employees of the National Park Service, Newsday previously reported.

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service website, the agency has several locations on Long Island, including the Long Island Ecological Services Field Office in Shirley, Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge in Huntington and the Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge in North Sea.

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), whose district includes portions of Valley Stream, called the announcement of the possible closure "abrupt" and "chaotic."

"I’ve relayed my concerns to the Administration over DOGE’s abrupt indication that they will terminate the lease on the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream," Gillen said in a statement to Newsday. "Long Islanders deserve more than this chaotic announcement — I’ll continue to closely track how this will impact my constituents as details around this office closing emerge."

The GSA spokesperson also said it is "sending letters of intent to customer agencies to inform them GSA is considering lease termination."

"Actively managing leases gives GSA the opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies on their evolving and longer-term needs and will often allow us to enhance space utilization and secure better terms for the government — including better pricing," the spokesperson added.

Typically, before a tenant terminates a lease, the company will request lower rent, Scimone said. That was not the case with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's two suites in Valley Stream.

"They just sent a letter that they were terminating the lease — period. End of conversation. Not a lot of small talk," he said.

When Scimone reached out to the GSA, a contact there "didn’t know anything about it," and had "no information to give us."

The GSA was paying far below rentable market rates — usually 20% less, Scimone, added, because the government only pays for usable space and not for shared spaces like elevators or hallways that other nongovernmental clients pay for.

"I don’t really know why they are vacating," he said. "They have an awful good deal."

[email protected]@T_Cusaac

Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday. She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Reworld™ Joins Effort to Build Community Garden in Valley Stream with Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages

Jake Mendlinger, Community Contributor

Reworld™ employee volunteers assembling pieces for the raised garden beds

Employees from Reworld™, a leader in sustainable waste solutions, recently volunteered their time and tools in Valley Stream to help build raised garden beds as part of the early development of a new community garden in the 22nd Assembly District. The initiative, led by Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages in partnership with the Village of Valley Stream and Cornell Cooperative Extension, aims to bring green space and fresh produce to the neighborhood while engaging residents in every step of the process.

“Our team at Reworld™ is committed to investing in local sustainability initiatives throughout Long Island, so we were excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work on something that will grow into a source of nourishment and pride for the entire community,” said Maureen Early, Lead Community Relations Specialist at Reworld™. “Being part of these moments, especially alongside leaders like Assemblywoman Solages, reminds us that real impact starts from the ground up.”

The community garden is part of an ongoing exploration to establish the 22nd AD Community Garden Coalition, which will involve residents in shaping everything from the garden’s location and beautification plans to planting and harvesting. Involvement in this initiative reflects a broader commitment by Reworld™ to support sustainability at the local level, bringing people together to build stronger, healthier neighborhoods through hands-on service.

“The Village of Valley Stream is proud to support this initiative and grateful to community partners like Reworld™ who are helping us transform underutilized space into something truly beneficial for residents,” said Mayor Edwin Fare, Village of Valley Stream. “This project is a win for local families, for sustainability, and for the spirit of collaboration that makes our village stronger.”

As the project continues to take shape, Assemblywoman Solages is encouraging interested residents to register for the coalition and take an active role in transforming this vision into a vibrant, sustainable community space.

Find out what's happening in Long Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Reworld™ continues to support various community and environmental programs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to fostering positive change both locally and globally. For more information about Reworld™ and their community initiatives, please visit www.reworldwaste.com.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Students Collaborate With Northwell OT and PT Specialists for Insight and Inspiration

Jake Mendlinger, Community Contributor

Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program, led by Ms. Risa Miller, are engaging in a powerful act of innovation and service by designing and building a prosthetic arm to donate to Northwell Health’s occupational and physical therapy providers. As part of this project, students recently participated in a virtual meeting with physical therapist Taylor Jensen and occupational therapist Rob Carafo to gather insight into the design of prosthetic devices and how they support individuals with physical disabilities.

“This meaningful work was sparked by our Vision 2030 pilot project planning,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas. “Our sixth-grade students partnered with younger peers to co-design early prototypes, embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our district. We are incredibly proud of our teachers and administrators for cultivating these forward-thinking, cross-grade initiatives. We are also proud of our students, whose curiosity, compassion, and dedication to making a difference shine through. By engaging with Northwell providers, our students are not only learning how prosthetics improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, but also how to apply emerging technologies to design functional prototypes that may one day serve others.”

During the session, students engaged with the providers about their careers, the differences between occupational and physical therapy, and important considerations in prosthetic design. Students enthusiastically shared their own ideas, including color-coded sensors to simplify the use of the prosthetic, and motors that enable movement for everyday tasks such as gripping or holding objects.

Building on this knowledge, students will now develop a purpose-driven plan for their prosthetic arm, sketching blueprints to guide their design. Using robotic LEGO materials, they will construct their prototypes and create custom coding sequences to bring their device to life. The final phase will include testing, refining, and presenting their completed prosthetic device to Northwell Health professionals.

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District’s website at https://valleystreamschooldistrict24.org and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VS24SchoolDistrict #MakeTheConnection #VS24 #InnovatingOurFuture

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Students Earn Awards in Several Different Categories Throughout the Competition

Jake Mendlinger, Community Contributor

William L. Buck students Jake M., Elias R., and Eric L. achieved third place for their illustration, titled “The Transformation: Playful to Perilous.”

William L. Buck students Jake M., Elias R., and Eric L. achieved third place for their illustration, titled “The Transformation: Playful to Perilous.”

Michelle C. and Ethan R., also from Brooklyn Avenue School, designed an architectural project called “The Celestial Vault,” which featured a concealed amusement park.

Michelle C. and Ethan R., also from Brooklyn Avenue School, designed an architectural project called “The Celestial Vault,” which featured a concealed amusement park.

Robert W. Carbonaro School students Justin B., Matteo B., Maurice D., and Santiago Z. won first place for their painting, titled “Palette of Passions: A Journey Through Pride and Shame.”

Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program achieved remarkable success at the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Olympics of the Visual Arts in Saratoga Springs, earning awards in six creative categories.

Throughout the school year, students collaborated on artistic challenges in photography, graphic design, painting, fashion, illustration, and architecture. Each team produced a comprehensive portfolio documenting their research and creative processes. These portfolios highlighted the students’ historical analysis, decision-making, problem-solving abilities, and imaginative thinking.

The Challenge students, accompanied by teacher Ms. Risa Miller and art educators Ms. Jessica Rosenthal, Ms. Nicole Barci, and Ms. Leighanne Jaronczyk, presented their projects at the competition. Students were evaluated on both long-term solutions and spontaneous challenges, as well as the depth and quality of their portfolios. The event brought together middle school students from 32 districts across New York State and was judged by more than 50 professionals—including artists, architects, designers, educators, and industry leaders.

"I believe the students' success was a result of interviews with artists and the use of primary resources, which are invaluable tools for students seeking to enhance their creativity in artistic endeavors and research,” said Challenge Program Teacher Risa Miller. “Engaging in conversations with artists allows students to gain insights into the creative processes, motivations, and challenges faced by professionals in the field.”

“These firsthand accounts can inspire students to explore new techniques and perspectives in their own work,” Ms. Miller continued. “Additionally, primary resources, such as sketches and drafts, offer authentic examples of artistic evolution and thought processes. By analyzing these materials, students can develop a deeper understanding of the artistic journey, ultimately fostering their own creativity and encouraging innovative approaches to their projects."

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Award-Winning Projects from Valley Stream 24:

The Valley Stream 24 School District proudly congratulates all of the students who competed and celebrates the incredible accomplishments of those who earned awards at this prestigious statewide event.

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District’s website at https://valleystreamschooldistrict24.org and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VS24SchoolDistrict #MakeTheConnection #VS24 #InnovatingOurFuture